Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon & 5K Race Details

DAYS TO RACE

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🌟 2024 Details are subject to change! 🌟

The Courses

Half Marathon

START 8:00 AM
With an elevation gain of only 60 feet, the Smuttynose Rockfest Half is the flattest, fastest, and most scenic half marathon course in New England!

The course begins with two thrilling loops around downtown Hampton Beach with thousands of spectators cheering you on. You’ll then head north on Ocean Boulevard right along the beach before turning inland for a loop through tree-lined roads and coming back out to the ocean at mile 10. You’ll finish with a three-mile stretch along the beach, ending at the famous Sea Shell Stage for a well-deserved party!

Pacer groups provided (hrs): 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, and 3:00.

This course is very spectator friendly with great views of the runners at the Start, Mile 2, Mile 5, and at the Finish. Every mile has a marker and all corners have at least one arrow. Race marshals and police will be stationed at any confusing corners.

The race starts in designated pace corrals. The half course is measured according to USATF standards. The course certification can be viewed here.

View the detailed Half Marathon Course Map.

This course is very spectator friendly with great views of the runners at the Start, Mile 2, Mile 5, and at the Finish. Every mile has a marker and all corners have at least one arrow. Race marshals and police will be stationed at any confusing corners.

The race starts in designated pace corrals. The half course is measured according to USATF standards. The course certification can be viewed here.

5K Course

START 8:40 AM
The 5K course is comprised of the first 3.1 miles of the half marathon course, which means you’ll be cheered on by thousands of spectators as you run beside the beautiful Atlantic Ocean! After crossing the finish line, head on over to the famous Sea Shell Stage where the Rockfest after-party awaits! 5k runners experience the same great food, band, and beer garden. They just get the party started a little earlier!

5k runners line up on B Street and start at 8:40 a.m. BE SURE TO PICK UP YOUR BIB BEFORE 8:00 AM!

View the detailed 5K Course Map.

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be determined closer to race day.

Don’t want to worry about packet pickup? Add on packet mailing during registration and get your bib and race swag shipped right to your door!

Directions & Parking

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO COME EARLY! To make this a smooth event for everyone, we ask runners to be prepared to arrive on race-day between 6:00-6:30 AM.

Several parking lots are available within walking distance of the event. All parking is pay and display. Volunteers will help guide you to available parking. Use the interactive map below to view all parking locations.

Please do not parking on the eastside (northbound) of Ocean Blvd since you will not be able to easily leave at any point during the race.

Road Closures

Spectators and Hampton residents: Due to the size of this race, some roads will be closed to auto traffic. Please take note of the following road closures on Sunday morning:

7:45 to 9:15 — The Beach District
8:10 to 9:10 — The Hampton Harbor Bridge
8:30 to 11:00 — Ocean Blvd from the Beach District to North Shore
8:40 to 10:20 — North Shore from Ocean to Cusack
8:45 to 10:00 — Seaview Ave
8:55 to 10:15 — Cusack (From North Shore to Seaview)
8:30 to 10:30 — Huckleberry – (East side only)
9:00 to 11:30 — Ocean Blvd North Bound lanes (from Huckleberry to Hampton Beach)

Notification signs will be placed along the course during the week leading up to the event. Detours will be set up around a few key areas. In particular, Route 1A at Atlantic Road will have a detour to Route 1 using Atlantic to Winnacunnet Road. Please arrange your travel plans accordingly. For example, if you live on a street scheduled to be closed but need to drive early on Sunday morning, park your car on a non-closed street on Saturday night so you’ll be able to easily drive out.

If you have questions about road closures, please email info@hamptonrockfest.com.

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The After Party

You’ve never experienced a party like this after a race. The Smuttynose Rockfest Half & 5k features a massive festival where thousands of people descend on this scenic beach town to cheer on the runners and party all day! Bring your friends and family and get ready for a day of fun at one of New Hampshire’s biggest festivals.

To start, head over to the Sea Shell Stage inside the beer garden on the boardwalk to find one the live bands performing classic hits. You’ll be able to enjoy your beer while listening to one of New England’s favorite cover bands.

We also know you’ll be hungry for more than music when you finish. Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of food like lobstah rolls, clam chowdah, granola bars, and vegetarian options. Plus, you’ll get two complimentary Smuttynose craft beers to wash it all down!

How It Works

Each runner receives two tickets for complimentary beer (21+), a lobster roll, clam chowder, and more included with their registration. Spectators can also purchase food+beer tickets online for just $30 to $34 and enjoy the same perks as the runners! All food is served in the Food Tent in the festival area until 1 pm. Runners can use their bib to enter the tent, and spectators can enter with their F+B ticket.

Beer will be served in the Beer Garden as well as the following local bars and restaurants – NOLA, Boardwalk Cafe & Pub, and Sea Ketch. For the local bars, runners will need to use the two beer tickets attached to their bib to get their drinks. Spectator F+B tickets will also include two beer tickets to be used at the local bars. These tickets can be redeemed for two draft Smuttynose beers until 1 p.m.

Runner and specators must be 21 and have their ID to drink beer during the event.